Gallery Stroll – October 2011

Opening this month, Utah Arts Alliance Gallery presents Halloween Horror Photos with Renee and Todd Keith featuring fine art photography with horror themes. This husband and wife duo both work as freelance commercial photographers for iStock Photo and Getty Images and have had their images published in thousands of advertisements, as magazine covers and plastered on billboards.

Renee discovered her passion for photography in 2002 when she picked up her first digital camera. By 2004, she had founded the SLC Photo Club (slcphoto.com) and entered the fast paced world of commercial stock photography. Todd was born and raised in Utah, but has lived all over the world. In addition to working as a freelance commercial photographer, he owns and manages BellaOra Studio Photography in Saratoga Springs, Utah.

They work together building props and painting backgrounds. Renee does much of the special effects makeup and body painting on the models. She says, “We’ve been working together since we first met during a SLC Photo Club meeting early in 2008 at the Sugarhouse Library… that first weekend after the meeting, we got together for a fun shoot and have been together non-stop ever since!”

Their last exhibit, Body Works, was voted “Best Photography Exhibit” by City Weekly readers and won an Arty Award. The show runs Oct. 3–Oct. 29 with the opening reception on Oct. 7 from 6-9 p.m. The Utah Arts Alliance Gallery is located at 127 S. Main Street. Gallery hours are Tuesday – Friday noon–8 p.m. and Saturday noon–5 p.m. For more info visit utaharts.org.

Want to connect with local artists? Whether you’re an artist or an art lover, the Utah Art Alliance artist event Connect will give you an “in” to the artists of Utah. A free monthly event, Connect provides a casual atmosphere where artists can mingle and showcase their art. Connect takes place the second Friday of the month from 7-9 p.m. at the Utah Art Alliance’s building at 2191 S. 300 W. #1B.

The invited guest speaker starts around 8 p.m. and speaks for 15 minutes about their art and the tricks of the industry. Attendees are encouraged to vote for their favorite works of art through a secret ballot. The artist who earns the most votes on event night is invited back to showcase at an end-of-year gathering to compete with each month’s winners for grant money.

All mediums are admitted and eligible for voting. Artists can bring a maximum of three pieces. Previous speakers include Heath Montgomery speaking about pottery and Rachel Domingo speaking about fashion. For updates on each month’s speakers, visit utaharts.org.

Looking to add more spook to your All Hallow’s Eve? An October Evening 2011 takes Halloween back from the kids and places it right were it should be, in a building full of secrets where one’s creativity and imagination can be one’s worst enemy. An October Evening is an art show created by local artists for local artists, featuring film, fashion, dance, live acts and music.

In its sixth year, the annual event takes place Oct. 27 at the Masonic Temple located at 650 E. South Temple. Admission is $10. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the show will begin at 7:30 p.m. To view the trailer for this year’s show visit their Facebook page.

Whether you’re looking for art on the first Friday, the second Friday, the third Friday, or just a random day in October, there is always art to be seen and SLUG will always make sure you know what’s going on.